Faith Funding Forum: Senator Leroy Comrie, Rev. Karim Camara, Deputy Commissioner of the NYS DHCR and Government Officials Advise Over 150 Clergy & Non-Profit Leaders on Accessing State Funding

In collaboration with CenterLight Healthcare, State Senator Leroy G. Comrie (D-Hollis) hosted an informational Clergy Breakfast attended by over 150 leaders from the South Queens Faith-based and Non-Profit Community. The event's Keynote Speaker, the esteemed former Assemblyman and newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal Rev. Karim Camara, shared with the community information regarding funding opportunities for faith-based and non-profit organizations. The breakfast was sponsored by CenterLight Health System, which provided an overview of their organization and the services they offer.

Senator Comrie was proud to be able to facilitate connecting South Queens with vital government resources: “The faith and non-profit communities serve as the backbone of our neighborhoods, playing a vital role in unifying and strengthening our ties to resources and to each other. I am pleased to be able to provide these important leaders the opportunity to collaborate and empower themselves to further help those they serve.”

Rev. Camara emphasized collaboration between parties in his address to the public: "It is great to be able connect with faith leaders in Queens to brief them on Governor Cuomo's Opportunity Agenda 2015 and the many ways that state government can work together with faith inspired non-profit organizations for the betterment of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. The pressing challenges we are faced with as a society cannot be solved by government alone or by faith institutions alone. We must form strategic partnerships." 

Rev. Joseph J. Jones from the New York City Commission on Human Rights and Rev. Edward B. Perry from the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs and a representative from the Office of NY State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli also served as panelists.  Comptroller DiNapoli extended his “thanks to Senator Comrie for arranging this important opportunity for clergy and their congregations to better understand how government works on their behalf."  

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and NYC Council Member I. Daneek Miller were also in attendance and shared information on how their respective offices were also working in collaboration with the non-profits and the faith-based community to bring them resources and tools to assist their organizations.

For further information on procedures for forming and changing not-for-profits in New York State, visit www.charitiesnys.com. Visit the IRS Exempt Organizations website at www.irs.gov/eo.